The Geometry of René Descartes: With a Facsimile of the First Edition (Dover Books on Mathematics)

Book Details

• Author: René Descartes

• Publisher: Dover

• Language: English

• Edition: Unabridged

• ISBN: 9780486600680

• Pages: 244

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches

About the Book

René Descartes' The Geometry is a monumental work that marks the foundation of modern analytical geometry. Originally published in 1637, this book revolutionized the entire conception of geometry and mathematics. Descartes introduced a novel way of thinking about geometry by reducing it to algebra and analysis. His approach allowed the translation of geometric problems into algebraic equations, paving the way for the development of modern mathematics as we know it.

This unabridged edition of the definitive English translation includes Descartes' groundbreaking contributions, such as his systematic classification of curves and the demonstration of algebraic solutions to geometric problems. Not only did Descartes' work open up new paths for geometry, but his geometric interpretation of negative quantities influenced later developments in the theory of continuity and the function theory.

The book is divided into three key sections: Problems the Construction of which Requires Only Straight Lines and Circles, On the Nature of Curved Lines, and On the Construction of Solid and Supersolid Problems. This edition includes both the English translation and the original 1637 French text, interleaved on each page, along with Descartes' original illustrations. The comprehensive footnotes provide valuable explanations and further bibliographic information, making this an essential text for anyone studying the history of mathematics or the development of analytical geometry.

Described as the greatest single step ever made in the progress of exact sciences, The Geometry continues to be a cornerstone of mathematical thought, reshaping the way we understand and approach mathematics today.